Method and apparatus for controlling physical exertion

ABSTRACT

The present relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling physical exertion during exercise. For doing so, the method and apparatus collect at least one physical parameter of a user over time during an exercise session. The method and apparatus store the collected at least one physical parameter over time. During another exercise session, the method and apparatus measure the at least one physical parameter of the user, compare the measured at least one physical parameter with the collected at least one physical parameter with respect to time to obtain a variance, and determine a required adjustment in the another exercise session based on the variance.

FIELD

The present relates to exercising, health and fitness, and moreparticularly to a method and an apparatus for controlling physicalexertion.

BACKGROUND

Exercising is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. As physicalexercise has been promoted in the past twenty years, the exercisingindustry has experienced an incredible booming. A large number ofexercising apparatuses have been designed, numerous sports centers havebeen opened, and various types of training programs have been developed.It is thus now possible to train at home, at a gym, and outside.

Typically, people exercise to achieve one or several goals: lose weight,improve energy level, have a better posture, improve general health,improve physical performances, etc. It usually takes a certain time andmotivation to reach the desired goal. Many people become discouragedbecause of the amount of time required to reach the desired goal.Additionally, the exercise program developed to reach their goal issometimes not customized to their specific needs, and as such, does notdeliver targeted results.

Exercising is even more important for patients recovering fromaccidents, injuries or illnesses. In such cases, their physical effortsmust be closely monitored and gradually adapted to ensure safe recovery.

Athletes also require specific physical training. To reach theirmaximum, athletes often have to combine various training programs andwork on various types of exercising apparatuses, cross-training being anexample. However, customizing and combining such training programs isnot simple, as each athlete reacts differently to training.

There is thus a need for an apparatus and a method for controllingphysical exertion during performance of an exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following description, the following drawings are used todescribe and exemplify the present apparatus and method:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for controllingphysical exertion;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a method for collecting at least onephysical parameter of a user over time during an exercise session; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a method for controlling a physicalexertion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present provides an apparatus and a method for controlling physicalexertion during exercise.

For doing so, the present apparatus and method design or preset anexercise session to be performed by a user by adjusting at least onephysical parameter of the user over time, based on the same at least onephysical parameter collected over time during a former exercise sessionperformed by the user.

In a first aspect, the method comprises collecting at least one physicalparameter of a user over time during an exercise session. Then, themethod stores the collected at least one physical parameter over time.During another exercise session, the method measures the at least onephysical parameter of the user, and compares the measured at least onephysical parameter with the collected at least one physical parameterwith respect to time to obtain a variance. The method then determines arequired adjustment in the another exercise session based on thevariance.

In another aspect, the apparatus comprises a monitoring module, a memoryand a processor. The monitoring module is adapted for monitoring overtime at least one physical parameter of a user during an exercisesession, and for monitoring over time the at least one physicalparameter of the user during another exercise session. The memory isadapted for storing the at least one physical condition over time. Theprocessor compares the measured at least one physical parameter duringthe another exercise session with the measured at least one physicalparameter of the exercise session with respect to time to determine avariance, and determines a required adjustment in the another exercisesession based on the variance.

To facilitate reading of the present description, the followingterminology is being used:

exercise session: any exercise or succession of exercises performed,comprising an exercise program, a physical effort, or an improvedexercise.

physical parameter: refers to any measurable physical and/orphysiological parameter or derivation thereof of a user which may changeduring the course of an exercise session.

examples of physical parameters: electro-encephalogram,electrocardiogram, leg stride length and consistency, leg turnover rate,speed, pace, METS (metabolic equivalent of task), oxygen intake, CO₂released, perspiration rate, body temperature, perceived effort,biorythm, heart rate, pupil's dimension, glucose level, maximum airbreathed out at a first second, lactic acid and lactate level,motion/position capture data points, power output (in Watts), weightvariation, body fat in absolute (in kg) and relative values (%),calories and blood pressure.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which depicts an exemplary apparatusfor controlling physical exertion during exercise. The apparatus 100comprises a monitoring module 110, a memory 120, a processor 130, acommunication module 140, a user entry module 150 and an input/outputmodule 160. The apparatus may further other components not describedherein. The apparatus 100 may consist of a device carried on by a userperforming an exercise session, may be part of an exercising apparatus,or may be divided in sub-components, some of which accompany the user,others are affixed to the exercising apparatus, and others such as thememory are centralized on a server or on the internet.

The monitoring module 110 may comprise one or several specific physicalparameters monitoring devices. Shown on FIG. 1 are a heart ratemonitoring module, a calories burned monitoring module and a bloodpressure module. However, depending on the physical exertion to becontrolled, various specific physical parameters monitoring devices maybe combined. Any known physical parameter monitoring device availablefor measuring any of the examples of physical parameters provided may beused. Depending on the use of the present apparatus, the monitoringmodule 110 may be carried by the user, included with the othercomponents of the apparatus within a casing, or affixed to an exercisingapparatus.

The monitoring module 110 monitors over time at least one physicalparameter of the user during an exercise session by means of itsspecific physical parameters monitoring devices. Furthermore, themonitoring module 110 is also adapted for monitoring over time the atleast one physical parameter of the user during another exercisesession. Each of the specific physical parameters monitoring devices ofthe monitoring module 110 may monitor the physical parametercontinuously, at a specific rate, or randomly. When multiple physicalparameters are concurrently monitored, each of the multiple physicalparameters may be monitored with respect to time independently. Thepresent monitoring module 110 thus allows flexibility in the physicalparameters measured, and the rate at which the physical parameters aremonitored.

The memory 120 is adapted for storing the at least one physicalcondition over time. For doing so, the memory records the measured atleast one physical parameter along with an indication of time. Theindication of time may comprise for example a timestamp, an indicationof the time the recording is performed, or any other indication of timewhich provides meaningful information as to when in the exercise sessionthe at least one physical condition was monitored. Various types ofmemories 120 may be used for this purpose. Examples of memories thatcould be used include: a USB flash (USB 2.0, Wireless USB, SuperSpeed .. . ), a memory card (Compact Flash, Smart Media, MultiMedia Card,Secure Digital, a Memory Stick, an xD memory, . . . ), a Random AccessMemory, a Read-Only Memory, etc. It could also be possible to store theat least one physical condition over time on multiple memoriesconcurrently. The memory 120 receives the monitored physical parametersand time indication either directly from the monitoring module 110 orthrough the processor 130, electronically or wirelessly.

The processor 130 is adapted for comparing measured physical parameterswith respect to time between a former exercise session of the user, anda current exercise session performed by the user. By comparing physicalparameters of the user between a former exercise session with a currentundergoing exercise session, it is possible to determine a variance inthe physical exertion imposed to the user.

The processor 130 is further adapted for determining a requiredadjustment in the current undergoing exercise session based on thevariance. The processor may further take into consideration one orseveral user's exercising objective. The user's exercising objective mayalso be stored in the memory 120 and accessed by the processor 130 todetermine the required adjustment. For example, if the object is toincrease cardiovascular capacity, and the variance indicates that theheart rate is lower than during the former exercise session, theprocessor 130 may determine that an adjustment is required so as toincrease the heart rate, thereby reaching the exercising objective.

The processor 130 is also capable of determining the required adjustmentfurther based also on a received or selected training program to beperformed or related to the former exercise session.

The processor 130 further communicates with the communication module140. The communication module is adapted for informing the user of therequired adjustment. The communication module 140 may comprise one orseveral of the following: speaker, a display, a light or a vibrationmechanism. The user may then perform the adjustment, or manually changethe operating parameters of the exercise apparatus to correspond to therequired adjustment.

Alternately or concurrently, when the undergoing exercise session isperformed on an exercise apparatus, the processor 130 may also beadapted for communicating the required adjustment by means of theinput/output module 160. The input/output module 160 may communicatewith the exercise apparatus (not shown), by means of a USB connection, aWiFi connection, an Ethernet or Internet connection, Bluetooth, or anyother type of connection either wired or wireless. The input/outputmodule 160 is thus adapted for handling any required communicationprotocol, and specific protocol of the exercise apparatus. Additionally,the input/output module 160 may be adapted for receiving informationabout the operating parameters of the exercise apparatus, so that theprocessor 130 may use the operating parameters when determining therequired adjustment. The input/output module 160 may further be adaptedfor communicating with a website or any electronic address such as forexample internet address, SMS address, Blackberry messenger.

Additionally, the processor 130 stores the required adjustment alongwith an indication of time in the memory 120.

The processor 130 also communicates with the user entry module 150. Theuser entry module 150 may comprise one or several different entrysub-modules allowing the user to enter information during the exercisesessions. For example, the user entry module 150 may comprise specificbuttons information regarding his/her perceived effort, or informationrelated to the moment pain occurs (or sets in), or information relatedto the moment he/she attains his/her second breath or informationrelated to the moment he/she gets into the “Zone”, . . . . The userentry module 150 could also be presented to the user as a graphical userinterface on a display such as a touch screen.

The apparatus 100 may be used with multiple types of various exercisingapparatuses, such as for example a treadmill, a step machine, anelliptical exercise machine, a rowing machine, an exercise bicycle, across-country skiing machine, a skating machine or any othercardiovascular exercise machine.

Furthermore, the apparatus may be used for collecting physicalparameters and determining a variant for various types of exercisesessions, such as a running program, a hiking program, a walkingprogram, a biking program, a swimming program, a skating program or anycombination thereof.

The apparatus 100 may be embodied as a portable device, incorporatedwithin exercising apparatuses, or a combination thereof. Additionally,as many electronic devices comprises motion detectors and differenttypes of monitoring devices, the present apparatus could be offered as asoftware to be installed on the electronic devices, thereby using themonitoring modules, the memory, the processor, the communication module,the user entry module and the input/output module. In this particularaspect, the apparatus could be implemented in the form of softwareinstalled on a computer, a cell phone, a Personal Digital Assistant, asmart phone, an iPod™, or any other similar electronic device. Theapparatus 100 may further be adapted for communicating through internetto a website that provides training programs, offers training advice,tracks monitored physical parameters, etc.

Because of its portability and flexibility, the apparatus 100 can beused for exercise sessions performed inside with or without exercisingapparatuses, or outside. As the apparatus monitors the physicalparameters of the user, the former exercise session and the currentexercise session may be performed on the same exercise machine, ondifferent exercise machines, one on an exercising machine and the otherperformed without an exercise machine, both performed outside, etc.

Reference is now concurrently made to FIGS. 2 and 3, which respectivelydepict a block diagram of a method for collecting at least one physicalparameter of a user over time during an exercise session, and a blockdiagram of a method for controlling a physical exertion.

Upon actuation of the apparatus, the method starts with collecting atleast one physical parameter of a user undergoing an exercise session.The physical parameter is collected over time, along with an indicationof time as previously described. The collected physical parameters andtime indication are stored 220 in memory. Then, a verification 230 ismade as to whether an entry is received from the user. If an entry isreceived from the user, the entry is stored 240 in memory with acorresponding time indication. Concurrently, a verification is performedto determine whether the exercise session is completed 250. If theexercise session is completed, the apparatus is deactivated 260.Otherwise, if the exercise session is not completed, the methodcontinues to collect the at least one physical parameter 210.

Then, when the apparatus is used subsequently during another exercisesession, the method continues in FIG. 3 with establishing a connectionwith an exercising apparatus, when the apparatus is to be used with anexercising apparatus. Additionally, connections may also be establishedwith web service, electronic addresses, or any other desired remotedevice. The method continues with measuring 320 the at least onephysical parameter of the user. Then, the method compares 330 withrespect to time the measured at least one physical parameter with theformerly collected at least one physical parameter to obtain a variance.The method determines 340 the required adjustment based on the varianceand as previously described. Optionally, the method may inform 350 theuser of the required adjustment. Then, if the current exercise sessionis performed on an exercising apparatus, the method performs 360 theadjustment by sending a corresponding command to the exercisingapparatus to modify an operating parameter of the exercising apparatus.The method may further store the adjustment and a corresponding timeindication.

The present apparatus and method have been described by way of preferredembodiments. It should be clear to those skilled in the art that thedescribed preferred embodiments are for exemplary purposes only, andshould not be interpreted to limit the scope of the present apparatusand method. The scope of the present apparatus and method should bedefined by reference to the appended claims, which clearly delimit theprotection sought.

1. A method for controlling physical exertion during exercise, themethod comprising: collecting at least one physical parameter of a userover time during an exercise session; storing the collected at least onephysical parameter over time; during another exercise session: measuringthe at least one physical parameter of the user; comparing the measuredat least one physical parameter with the collected at least one physicalparameter with respect to time to obtain a variance; and determining arequired adjustment in the another exercise session based on thevariance.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the requiredadjustment in the another exercise session is further based on at leastone user's exercising objective.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising modifying at least one operating parameter of an exercisingapparatus based on the required adjustment.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising informing the user of the required adjustment.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein informing the user is performed by means ofat least one of the following: a voice message, an audio message, agraphic message, a visual representation, a sound signal, a light signalor physical stimuli like vibration.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe at least one physical parameter is one of the following:electro-encephalogram, electrocardiogram, leg stride length andconsistency, leg turnover rate, speed, pace, METS (metabolic equivalentof task), oxygen intake, CO₂ released, perspiration rate, bodytemperature, perceived effort, biorythm, heart rate, pupil's dimension,glucose level, maximum air breathed out at a first second, lactic acidand lactate level, motion/position capture data points, power output (inWatts), weight variation, body fat in absolute (in kg) and relativevalues (%), calories and blood pressure.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein at least one of the exercise session and the another exercisesession is performed outside.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein theexercise session is performed on a first exercising apparatus and theanother exercise session is performed on a different exercisingapparatus.
 9. The method of claim 3, wherein the exercising apparatus isone of the following: a treadmill, a step machine, an ellipticalexercise machine, a rowing machine, an exercise bicycle, a cross-countryskiing machine, a skating machine or any other cardiovascular exercisemachine.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the exercising session andthe another exercising session are one of the following: a runningprogram, a hiking program, a walking program, a biking program, aswimming program, a skating program, a revolving stairs machine or anycombination thereof.
 11. An apparatus for controlling physical exertionduring exercise, the apparatus comprising: a monitoring module formonitoring over time at least one physical parameter of a user during anexercise session, and for monitoring over time the at least one physicalparameter of the user during another exercise session; a memory forstoring the at least one physical condition over time; a processor forcomparing the measured at least one physical parameter during theanother exercise session with the measured at least one physicalparameter of the exercise session with respect to time and fordetermining a variance, and for determining a required adjustment in theanother exercise session based on the variance.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, 2 wherein the processor determines the required adjustmentalso based on at least one user's exercising objective.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein: the processor is adapted for determininga required adjustment to an exercising apparatus on which the anotherexercise session is performed by the user, and the apparatus furthercomprises an output module for communicating the required adjustment tothe exercising apparatus.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, furthercomprising a communication module for informing the user or otherindividuals of the required adjustment.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the communication module comprises at least one of thefollowing: a speaker, a display, a light or a vibration mechanism. 16.The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one physical parameteris one of the following: electro-encephalogram, electrocardiogram, legstride length and consistency, leg turnover rate, speed, pace, METS,oxygen intake, CO₂ released, perspiration rate, body temperature,perceived effort, biorythm, HR, pupil's dimension, glucose level,maximum air breathed out at a first second, lactic acid and lactatelevel, motion/position capture data points, power output (in Watts),weight variation, body fat in absolute (in kg) and relative values (%),calories or blood pressure.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein atleast one of the exercise session and the another exercise session isperformed outside.
 18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the exercisesession is performed on a first exercising apparatus and the anotherexercise session is performed on a different exercising apparatus; andwherein the exercising apparatus and the different exercising apparatusare one of the following: a treadmill, a step machine, an ellipticalexercise machine, a rowing machine, an exercise bicycle, a cross-countryskiing machine, a skating machine or any other cardiovascular exercisemachine.
 19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the exercise sessionand the another exercise session are both performed outside, and theexercising session and the another exercising session are one of thefollowing: a running program, a hiking program, a walking program, abiking program, a swimming program, a skating program or any combinationthereof.
 20. An exercising machine comprising the apparatus of claim 12.